“Lamine will win several Ballon d’Ors… at least three,” Barcelona’s Rafinha confidently told Spanish content creator Adri Contreras recently. Last night, Lamine Yamal showcased why such high praise isn’t far-fetched. The 17-year-old dazzled as Barcelona crushed Real Betis 5-1 in the Copa del Rey, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Despite five different players scoring, the headlines were dominated by Yamal.
Yamal delivered a masterclass, scoring one goal, providing two assists, and having another ruled offside. His performance was a spectacle of brilliance—nutmegging opponents, weaving past defenders with body feints, and delivering clinical passes. It was a reminder of the youthful energy Lionel Messi once brought to Barcelona. Gavi, Yamal’s teammate, went as far as to declare, “Lamine Yamal is the best footballer in the world after Lionel Messi.”
Despite missing key players like Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde, Barcelona relied on their young stars. Yamal exceeded expectations, playing a pivotal role in Jules Koundé’s 27th-minute goal with a perfectly lofted assist and igniting the counterattack that led to Rafinha’s goal in the 58th minute. He sealed his night with a stunning strike in the 75th minute.
This season, Yamal has amassed nine goals and 13 assists in just 24 matches. With 153 successful dribbles, the highest in Europe’s top seven leagues, he’s proving to be a generational talent. Former Barça winger Gerard Deulofeu described him as “a blend of Messi and Neymar.”
As Barcelona coach Hans-Dieter Flick stated, “Big talents shine in big matches, and Yamal is doing just that.” If he continues this trajectory, Ballon d’Or glory seems inevitable.
